Monday, June 10, 2013

Peanuts

Marco Razzolini, macchina delle noccioline, peanut roasting machine, via Grande, Livorno
Here is Marco Razzolini with his “macchina delle noccioline” (literally peanuts machine). I saw him at an otherwise dull Sunday market in Via Grande and his stall was absolutely eye catching. The contraption behind him is an old but perfectly functional wood-fired peanut roasting machine, mounted on the back of a truck. Marco inherited the device from his grandfather Alfeo, a real pioneer of peanut roasting in Italy.
Marco Razzolini, macchina delle noccioline, peanut roasting machine, via Grande, Livorno
Peanuts were already known here then, but their consumption was marginal and increased greatly only after World War II, with the presence of the Allied troops. In 1951 Alfeo bought the 1200-kg machine from an artisan shop in Padua and carried it around at fairs and festivals for several years. With the advent of more modern machinery the cumbersome device fell gradually in disuse, until his grandson dusted it off from a shed a few years ago, reviving the “Antica Torrefazione della Nocciolina Tostata a Legna” (Wood-fired roasted peanuts Company).

14 comments:

Stefan Jansson said...

Nice with a portrait. Interesting looking machine.

Gunn said...

Great images.
I have never seen so many peanuts in my life :)

Jack said...

Fantastic images, VP. This is so much more interesting than a modern machine would be.

Michelle said...

Love them freshly roasted. I am sure he is a popular man!

Taken For Granted said...

Terrific looking peanut machine. Bet it smells wonderful with the roasting peanut and wood smoke. Wish I had a bag full right now. Fine photos.

Randy said...

I'll be they are tasty.

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting article and machine, I love peanuts!Léia

Lucy Corrander : Photos said...

I imagine the smell is a wide spreading advert.

cieldequimper said...

And what a beautiful smile!!

Unknown said...

This is amazing! I've never seen anything of the kind.

svenske floyd said...

I roast my peanuts at home in a frying pan. For a party I could consider renting such a machine!

Dina said...

What an exciting find! A great story of people, peanuts, and a machine.

Babzy.B said...

very interesting post ! :)

Halcyon said...

I bet he does a good business from this!